Biology

Magikarp is a fish Pokémon with large, heavy reddish-orange scales. It has large, vacant eyes and pink lips. Its pectoral and tail fins are white. On its back is stiff, three-peaked yellow fin; there is an identical fin on its underside. It also has long barbels. The barbels are white on a female and tan on a male.A long-lived Magikarp is able to utilize its immense splashing power to leap high enough to scale mountains. It also has a strong enough immune system to survive in the most polluted of waters. However, it is usually overlooked by Trainers because of its perceived weakness: even in the heat of battle it will do nothing but flop around. It is believed that the ancestors of Magikarp were actually much stronger than modern Magikarp, and this led scientists to research this species.

Magikarp is found in many bodies of water, such as lakes, rivers, and ponds. However, due to its weak swimming ability it usually lives downstream of the water's flow. It is normally seen using its former signature move, Splash, to leap out of the water, which makes it an easy target for predators such as Pidgeotto and Pidgeot.

Multiple Magikarp appeared in Going for the Gold!, including one Shiny that appeared at the end of the episode. Clemont tried to lure the Shiny one in with an invention, but wound up attracting a horde of Sharpedo instead.

A Magikarp nicknamed (Japanese コイちゃんKoi-chan) appeared in SM113, where it eventually evolved into a Gyarados.

Minor appearances

Magikarp debuted in Pokémon - I Choose You!, where one was seen swimming in the river that Ash jumped into while attempting to escape a flock of Spearow that were chasing after him.

Three Magikarp appeared in Holy Matrimony!, under the ownership of James's parents. They were being fed by James's father when Jessebelle bumped into him and James's mother, sending them into the river.

Lance's Magikarp appeared in a flashback in The Legend as a Pokémon harmed by human industrialization. It evolved into Gyarados sometime before Extricated from Exeggutor, and it was used to shield him from the lava on Mt. Cerise.

Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.

Magikarp is virtually useless in battle as it can only splash around. As a result, it is considered to be weak. However, it is actually a very hardy Pokémon that can survive in any body of water no matter how polluted it is.

Trivia

Magikarp is tied with Gyarados and Regigigas for being the lowest level Pokémon encountered in the wild, as well as also tied with Gyarados for the highest level Pokémon encountered in the wild. In Platinum, Magikarp can be found at levels ranging from level 1 to 100 in the Resort Area, and in Black 2 and White 2, it can be found at the same levels in the Nature Preserve; both require a Super Rod.

Magikarp and its evolution require the fewest Egg cycles to hatch, with five.

However, Feebas can learn moves from TMs and HMs, hatch from an Egg with Egg Moves, and learn new moves via Move Tutors, making it slightly more useful in battle.

Magikarp shares its category name with Feebas. They are both known as the Fish Pokémon.

Magikarp and Feebas have almost identical stats. However, Magikarp has a higher Special Attack and Defense, while Feebas has a higher Attack and Special Defense. Both Attack and Defense stats for Magikarp and Feebas are reversed.

They share the largest base stat total increase of all Pokémon when they evolve: 340 (from 200 to 540).

They both change appearances drastically after evolution, evolving into serpentine, dragon-like Pokémon.

Magikarp is the only Pokémon which can be found in every course in the game Pokémon Snap except Rainbow Cloud (which features only Mew).

Origin

Magikarp is based on the Asian carp, which are easily frightened by disturbances in water and can jump 8–10 feet (2.5–3 m.) in the air.

Magikarp's evolution into Gyarados is based on a legend about how carp that leaped over the Dragon Gate would become dragons. Several waterfalls and cataracts in China are believed to be the location of the Dragon Gate. This legend is an allegory of the drive and efforts needed to overcome obstacles. This may have inspired an element in Pokémon Snap where, after certain steps are taken, a Magikarp will splash its way into a waterfall where it evolves.

Name origin

Magikarp's name is a combination of magic and carp, possibly mocking the Magikarp as a species, as someone with "magic" powers is generally thought to be quite powerful, which Magikarp is not (though carp are said to be able to transform into dragons, which is magical in its own way).

Koiking is a combination of 鯉 koi (carp) and king, giving its name an ironic slant similar to its English name.